Hen&#39;s nest.



No. 848,430. PATBNTBD MAR. 26, 1907.

' J. H. BLANK.

HENS NEST. AIPLIOATION FILED APB..12.1906.

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INVENTOR No. 848,430. PATENTBD MAR. 26-, 1907.

' J. H; BLANK.

HENSNEST. APPLICATION FILED. APR. 12. 1908.

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PATENT @TTIQE JOHN HENRY BLANK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HENS NEST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 26, 1907.

Application filed April 12,1906. Serial N0: 311,810.

To (tifwhmn zit may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY BLANK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in IIens Nests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hens nests, and has for its object to provide a simplified and novel construction whereby any one of a series of. nest-receptacles contained therein can be readily removed for cleaning the same at any time without disturbing the other nests in said series.

A further object of my invention is to provi de a device of the character stated whereby any one or more of said nests can be readily closed to prevent interference with a sitting hen occupying such nest.

WVith these and other objects in view my invention consists, essentially, of an inclosing frame or case divided into a series of compartments or recesses, each being adapted to receive a receptacle forming a nest and provided with hanging lids or shutters capable of closing each nest-receptacle upon one side while opening the same upon the opposite side.

My invention further consists in the novel construction and general arrangement of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein like numerals and letters of reference designate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an inclosing frame or case embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section thereof, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing both the nest receptacle and lid or shutter in position with a portion of the inclosing case cut away to illustrate details.

In carrying out my invention I first provide a light frame or inclosing case 1, generally similar to that shown in my drawings forming part of Patent No. 796,105, dated August 1, 1905, composed of the vertical ends and partitions 2, a top section 3, and narrow strips 4, one on each lower side, to hold the several parts together to form a compact, strong, and durable inclosing case. Upon the front portion of the inclosing ends and partitions 2 are arranged two light metallic rods 5, which are secured in a horizontal position thereon by small staples 6, while two corresponding metallic rods 7 are similarly secured to the back of the frame on lines parallel with the front rods 5. In this manner the inclosing frame or case is divided into upper and lower compartments or recesses for the reception therein of nest-receptacles 8. Each of these receptacles is composed of two separate parts a and 6, preferably made of wood, a having at its lower edge two staples 9, adapted for engagement with two L-shaped hooks 10, correspondingly placed at the lower edge of b, the said parts a and b forming an angle when placed in the proper position in the compartment in the inclosing frame or case. The receptacle thus formed is held securely in place in its compartment by means of the spring-metal hooks 11, two of which are secured to each part of said receptacle on a line parallel with each other near the upper corners of each part, as fully shown in the drawings, said hooks being adapted to slip over and rest upon the cross-rods 5 and 7, respectively, to hold the receptacle in-position to contain hay or straw to form a nest.

Through the central part of each upper and lower section of the frame is arranged a metal rod 12, disposed horizontally therein through holes bored in the ends and partitions 2, and to these rods 12 are hung the lids or shutters 13 by means of the springmetal hooks 14, two of which are secured to each lid or shutter on a line parallel with each other near the upper corners of said lid or shutter, the said hooks being adapted to slip over and rest upon the rod 12, causing the lid or shutter to hang in such manner as to effectually close the nest on one side while allowing free entrance and exit on the opposite side, as fully shown in the drawings. The lower ends of these lids or shutters are held down firmly in place by means of the small removable pins 15, which are inserted in small holes bored in the partitions 2, as fully shown in the drawings.

Horizontally disposed across the front and rear of each row or series of nests is provided a perch or rest formed of the narrow board 16, extending from one end of the frame to the other and the ends of which are pivotally secured to the ends of said frame by means of the narrow strips 17, secured at each end of the board 16, the opposite ends of said narrow strips being pivoted upon the projecting ends of rods 5 on the front and rods 7 on the rear of the inclosing frame.

By means of the pins or stops 18 the movement of the boards 16 is limited in such manner as to permit the said boards to be dropped down in position at right angles to the front or rear of frame to form perches for the fowls seeking entrance to one or the other of the series of nests in said frame.

The front or rear of each series of nests may be closed at night or at other desired times by swinging the perch or rest 16 up into position across the opening of said series, the said perch or rest being held in such position by means of a hook 19, attached to the frame, engaging with an eye or loop 20 on the edge of said perch or rest, as fully shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

By means of my improved construction it will be readily seen that the series of nests afford convenient and cleanly receptacles for both laying and sitting hens, and the lid or shutter in each compartment being removable permits the operator to adjust it as a cover to either the front or rear opening of the nest, as the occasion may require.

Each receptacle forming a nest may be readily and quietly removed at any time by an upward pressure applied to the bottom of said receptacle, which will disengage the spring-metal hooks 11 from the cross-rods 5 and 7. The hay or straw in said nest may be thrown out or burned, the receptacle taken apart by disengaging the staples 9 at the lower edge of a from the corresponding L shaped hooks 10 at the lower edge of 1), allowing each part of said receptacle to be thoroughly cleaned and dipped in a disinfecting solution before replacing in its former position.

When it is desired to thoroughly clean the entire structure, all of the lids or shutters and nest-receptacles therein may be removed and the framework cleaned and fumigated, while all of the lids or shutters and nest-receptacles may also be cleaned and dipped and replaced in their former positions in the cleaned frame.

Varous changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. In a nest, a frame comprising vertical ends and partitions, a top section and strips extending along the sides near the bottom of said frame, metallic rods horizontally disposed across the front and back of said frame, nest-receptacles mounted on said rods between said partitions, said receptacles consisting of two sections, lugs and eyes at the lower edge of said sections detachably connecting them together, and hooks on said sections, near the upper corners thereof for supporting said receptacles on the rods, sub- JOHN HENRY BLANK.

Witnesses:

D. R. KENNICOTT, GEORGE KENNICOTT. 

